Mask Or Menace - IC Contact Post

[helpdesk_hero]

This is David Alleyne, I'm not available at the moment.
Please leave your name, contact information, and what this is regarding after the beep.

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[made_up_names]

[ That's also weird? But Peter gladly accommodates, calling David a few minutes later. ]

What's wrong with your phone? I can fix it for you if it's messed up.

[ He'll cycle back to Beck later. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[David sounds so very, very tired.]

Nothing wrong with my phone. The issue is touching it. Do you know how much a phone goes through from the moment it's creation is completed and this very moment right now? I think I'm claustrophobic now.

[made_up_names]

I - um -

... David, are you okay?

[helpdesk_hero]

Ever hear of Psychometry?

[made_up_names]

[ Hang on, give him a moment. ]

That's reading objects, right? Touching something and feeling stuff it felt.

[helpdesk_hero]

Bingo. Except it's more knowing the whole damn thing's history. All of it. Each day. I'm terrible at shielding so far. I'm trying to learn. But this world hates me. I got ported out, came back like this. Can't really handle Beck because I can't really touch my phone or glasses.

[made_up_names]

[ Oh. Oh god. Peter pauses for a moment as that horror sinks in. ]

That's - can you block it out at all? What about your power limiter?

[helpdesk_hero]

The bracelet works for one hour in every four. One hour of peace and then three hours of charging. I use that hour to eat and use the bathroom.

I have a psychic friend who has been around to help me. I'm learning how to create mental shields. Ir's a pretty survival oriented crash course.

[made_up_names]

David, that's awful. There - there has to be something I can do. I mean, if it's power, then maybe I can build something? How does it normally charge?

[helpdesk_hero]

I've put a lot of work into this, and lots of refinements over the last month. Trust me, this isn't fixing any time soon.

I'm going to learn from my Obi-Wan here, try and control this new power. Until then I'm out of town. But... I'll see about talking to Quentin.

[made_up_names]

[ He winces guiltily on his end of the line. ]

No, I - it's all right. You've got enough on your plate right now.

[helpdesk_hero]

He's my responsibility too, Peter. I'll find time. Though I can't guarantee I can help. He doesn't WANT help.

[made_up_names]

[ Silence on the other side of the line for a moment. And guilt. ]

I don't think he wants help either.

[helpdesk_hero]

You're going to need to make a decision in the coming days, Peter. What you're going to do when he goes dark side.

I'm sorry.

[made_up_names]

You think it's that bad already?

[helpdesk_hero]

I think that it's our responsibility to make plans early. And I think he'll go after Marco once he does. Marco and you. Maybe me.

[made_up_names]

[ Ssssilent again. Unhappy. ]

If he goes after Marco, there's no way he's coming back from that.

[helpdesk_hero]

I know. I'll keep doing my best.

[made_up_names]

Me too. I - wasn't very good at it today, honestly.

[helpdesk_hero]

I get where you're coming from. I don't think I'll be very useful.

[made_up_names]

You're helping a lot right now.

[helpdesk_hero]

I'm a bit too tired of the world to really be helpful I fear.

[made_up_names]

Because of that power?

[helpdesk_hero]

Exactly. I came out here to be safe and to have some time with someone. We'd both almost died a bit too often last month.

And now I can't even...

I'm just really tired of this shit.

[made_up_names]

Dude, if you were in town, I'd 100% come to see you. I still want to when you get back. We can watch something dumb and brainless together.